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Canada vs Slovakia

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Canada – Slovakia 4 - 3 (1-0,1-2,2-1)

Whatever team would win this game would have the gates for the final right open. And even the looser would still have a fair chance to move up.

The spectators saw a very good game of ballhockey with two excellent teams that were trying hard to win this game. It was probably the best game of the tournament so far. In the tenth minute Canada's Denver Greer made profit of a power play bringing the North Americans 1 to 0 ahead assisted by Garrett Wilson and Any Liboiron.

The pace of the game remained high in the second period. In the sixth minute Slovakia could profit from a penalty against team Canada. Roman Homolka scored for the Europeans assisted by Martin Obuch and Marek Bendar. In this exciting game it was then Canada's turn to score again. Matt Paul netted the ball on passes from Andrew Shaw and Andrew Howes. But the Slovaks were able to answer again. With seven seconds left on the clock, Jaroslav Martinusik equalised the game on a pass from Obuch.

With the game tied once more, both teams started highly motivated into the closing period. Canada managed to place the game mostly into the defending zone of the Slovaks. But the Europeans defended skilfully. With five minutes left on the clock Ryan Gieseler gave Canada the lead back, assisted by Shaw and Paul. The Canadians were boosted up by this goal, while the Slovaks seemed shocked and so only 14 seconds later Liboiron assisted by Shaw and Wilson scored another goal for team Canada. But the game was far from being decided yet. The Slovaks reinforced their offense and were successful. Matus Palocko brought the Europeans back in reach with still two minute on the clock with Tomas Pospisil and Martin Kovac providing the assists. But the Canadians were able to control the game in the closing minutes and to safeguard the 4 to 3 victory.

With this victory Canada just needs two more points in today's second game against Germany to move definitively into final. For Slovakia still everything is possible, as it is for the Czech Republic and the USA.

President's note

George Gortsos
ISBHF president

This past weekend I had the honour of becoming the third President of the ISBHF. I believe that as a player and coach I have always strived to play ball hockey in a skilled and team way. Now I have a chance to work with all the great leaders of our sport throughout the World who love the game like we all do. I met some great people in Paris. And I would like to thank the representatives of all our member nations who voted me in on behalf of ball hockey players around the World. This is an honour I will handle with the honesty and hard work that made me a successful player and coach. I want to share the main keys that I will strive to work with my fellow board members to make this game better around the World.
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